Flat lift stuck

[Mr Sparkle]

The lift to our building of flats is stuck on the 3rd floor.

The lift makes some mechanical noises as if the door wants to open, but then it doesn't.

Can any advise on some basic things to try

Someone mentioned shutting of the power, waiting a minute, then switching it back on to reset the lift.
However, when i went into the lift control/power room there was a sign which said,
"Switch off, only when the car is at its lowest landing."



.

 

[ericmark]

I know I am not permitted to work on lifts, and I would think anyone who is authorised would know what to do.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Can any advise on some basic things to try

Leave it to the specialists!

It could be as simple as dirt in the door tracks, preventing the doors opening, but if you are not employed and insured to fix it - leave it well alone.

 

[Taylortwocities]

But please report back when it is fixed.
We won’t sleep until we know.

 

[Mr Sparkle]

Leave it to the specialists!

It could be as simple as dirt in the door tracks, preventing the doors opening, but if you are not employed and insured to fix it - leave it well alone.

Harry, you're cooking mate!

Right before the lift broke, our security camera saw a female press the button for the lift.

She was waiting for her partner so used her foot and suitcase to prevent the lift door from closing.

Her partner was taking ages, so she removed her foot and went back into her flat.. The lift door then closed.

About 2 mins later, she returned, pressed the button to open the door and it wouldn't open.

Surely, switching it off wouldn't lead to some sort of disaster like the entire lift cab falling multiple floors, then crashing into the ground floor?

 

[Mr Sparkle]

But please report back when it is fixed.
We won’t sleep until we know.

Not sure if serious or whether you're being sarcastic Doc

The managing company are diabolical. They take months to change communal lights..

We'll probably be waiting till Christmas for the lift and there a number of disabled people

 

[sparkwright]

Security cameras.
All the more reason to leave well alone and get the specialist in.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Surely, switching it off wouldn't lead to some sort of disaster like the entire lift cab falling multiple floors, then crashing into the ground floor?

Nope, cannot happen. More likely, switching it off, will result in someone trapped in the lift between floors - the notice avoids that possibility.

Even if the ropes snap, the weight of the car, on the ropes, hold back pins. The pins would shoot out, to lock the car from dropping. If the pins fail, there is a big spring for the car to land on at the bottom.

 

[IJWS15]

Not very lift is on ropes, some are on hydraulic rams and they can gradually lose height if the power is shut off.

Used to work in a 2 storey building with a lit like this, it developed a problem and the facilities manager propped the first floor door open (lift at first floor) and barriered it off one evening. Following morning the lift had dropped several meters and that is with the power on. Lift maintainer didn’t believe it until shown the photos.

Don’t mess with the lift, hassle the landlord until it is fixed.

 

[Old Salt]

I have worked on lifts and having seen what goes wrong I generally take the stairs!

 

[Jurassicspark]

I have worked on lifts and having seen what goes wrong I generally take the stairs!

I have worked on lifts too and having seen what goes wrong I generally still take the lift.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I have worked on lifts and having seen what goes wrong I generally take the stairs!

Friend of mine worked on them, one day he slipped and fell down the shaft. Ended up impaled on a bar, in through his chest and skull cracked. He was never the same..

 

[Mr Sparkle]

Security cameras.
All the more reason to leave well alone and get the specialist in.

The cameras are mine

Sorry mate, not in my nature to 'leave well alone'.. If I can, I will always try to 'fix it'

Nope, cannot happen. More likely, switching it off, will result in someone trapped in the lift between floors - the notice avoids that possibility.

Even if the ropes snap, the weight of the car, on the ropes, hold back pins. The pins would shoot out, to lock the car from dropping. If the pins fail, there is a big spring for the car to land on at the bottom.

This is so fascinating to me. I will study the ins and outs of lifts in my spare time.

I have worked on lifts and having seen what goes wrong I generally take the stairs!

Go on..

 

[Mr Sparkle]

Update:

1. I switched off the main isolator, waited about 5 mins then switched it back on

2. The lift made some noises (similar to a PC starting up). It then made noises similar to hydraulics (sounded so cool)

3. To my surprise, the lift cab automatically went down to the ground floor and opened up (very slowly).

So it went from being stuck on the third floor and refusing to open to going to the ground floor and opening

4. To test the lift, I sent it to the 1st and 2nd floor and then back to the ground floor. Everything worked perfectly

5. I then sent it to the 3rd floor (i.e. the floor the lift was originally stuck on)..

When it got to the third floor, the lift stopped again and started clunking. It refused to come down just as described in the opening post.

What could the issue be?

 

[Taylortwocities]

What could the issue be?

Errr something faulty on floor 3?
As advised above, call a lift maintenance company.